Skincare In The Summer: Why Sunscreen Is So Important

Have you ever heard of the phrase “vacation skin?” It probably conjures to mind bronzed, blemish-free skin that’s dewy and freckled and altogether carefree like vacations make us feel. It’s also, unfortunately, a counterintuitive myth. The reality of spending large amounts of time under the sun isn’t quite as picturesque–– unless sunscreen is being used appropriately, and it often isn’t. Sunscreen is unfairly thought of as being detrimental to clean skin for a number of reasons, and most of them are built upon outdated products and, frankly, dangerous myths. To achieve a glowing, healthy complexion, sunscreen and regular facial treatments beat anything that the sun has to offer. 

Wrinkles, Dark Spots, And Saggy Skin: Sunscreen Blocks Them All

When it comes to the benefits of sunscreen, we tend to think of them in terms of one thing: preventing sunburns. While this is the most obvious short-term benefit to wearing sunscreen, the long-term advantages go far beyond surface level protection.

This is because the single biggest factor in premature signs of aging on the body is prolonged exposure to the sun. It manifests in a number of ways, such as: 

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dry, dull, and sagging skin from diminished natural elasticity
• Uneven pigmentation (particularly on the face)

Dermatologists refer to the effects of sun damage on the body as “photoaging,” and it’s easy to see why. Like a photo that’s been left out in the sun for too long, the skin gradually changes until, eventually, the effects are almost impossible to reverse.

There’s no small amount of irony that the national, dogged pursuit of a youthful glow is what’s keeping dermatologists’ offices booked for months at a time. A golden tan is very desirable in theory. But let’s briefly unpack what a tan actually is.

What’s In A Tan & Is “healthy Tanning” Possible?

The tan itself is the skin’s natural defense mechanism against exposure to UV rays. When these rays penetrate the upper layer of your skin, the body produces excess melanin as a shield against them; a seemingly harmless sun tan is actually a sign of UV injury to the body. Through repeated exposure, types of cancer–– melanoma or carcinoma, just to name two–– are possible. 

The final word on healthy tans: there’s no such thing. Tanning lotions are a safe alternative for achieving the color that you want without the photoaging. 

What If I Have Non-white Skin?

There’s also a common myth that only Caucasian skin gets sunburnt, and therefore is the only type that needs sunscreen. This is dangerously incorrect. 

Even though a sunburn may not show up as obviously on darker skin tones, the sun doesn’t discriminate when it comes to damage. Anyone that consistently exposes themselves to harmful UV rays is at risk for all of the above negative impacts from the sun.

Choosing Between SPFs

Although SPF 50 will provide the best coverage against the sun (when applied correctly), the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends at least using SPF 30 or higher to be protected.  Lower SPFs that are marketed as tanning sunscreens, like SPF 15, will potentially do what’s advertised; keep you from getting burnt while still getting a tan. But as we know, a sunburn isn’t the only problem when it comes to skin damage.

For many people, SPF 30 is a perfectly good starting range, particularly if you’re not experiencing prolonged (read: hours) of direct sun contact. Just make sure you’re reaching for Broad Spectrum labeled products, as these will offer you the highest level of protection against all types of UV rays (UVB and UVA).

How Much Does Sunscreen Prevent Tanning?

SPFs range from 15-100, so naturally there’s some confusion in what these seemingly arbitrary numbers actually mean. Here’s the quick guide:

SPF 30, the AAD baseline in protection, will allow 3% of UV rays to hit the skin; SPF 50 will allow 2%. This may seem like an incredibly small difference, but the preference can be measured in terms of amount of exposure. The SPF 30 will take somewhat less time to reach a breakthrough burning level than SPF 50, so plan for this accordingly.

Is There A Sunscreen That Doesn't Cause Breakouts?

One of the biggest obstacles that most people experience in the consistent use of sunscreen, particularly on their faces as part of a daily skincare regimen, is that a lot of drugstore brand, universal sunscreens (body and face), are often greasy. They clog the pores, cause breakouts, and generally make people’s faces awfully shiny.

This doesn’t have to be the case anymore. There is a plethora of sunscreens that are targeted specifically for daily facial use. These sunscreens are designed to provide coverage that doesn’t make you feel like you’ve just rubbed petroleum jelly all over your previously clean face.

SPF In Moisturizers

Moisturizers containing at least SPF 30 are a good place to start in lieu of adding sunscreen separately. They work perfectly for everyday use (sometimes you’ll see them marketed as “city” sunscreen) as long as you remember to reapply throughout the day, and they’ll blend seamlessly into skin and underneath makeup without any shine or cast.

I highly recommend Repêchage Mineral Face Shield with zinc oxide for daily use. For people that are looking for a moisturizing mineral protection that won’t clog their pores, this is an excellent product. It works for all skin types (including sensitive skin), has an SPF of 30, and layers well under makeup while leaving no white cast for those who like to go natural. In terms of year round, everyday wear, this ticks all of the boxes that users could ask for.

When you know you’re going to be directly in the sun for an extended period of time, I recommend looking for a sunscreen that stands on its own. Sunscreens that are specifically designed for the face are lighter weight than body sunscreen, and better at preventing breakouts from occurring. As for a white cast, or shiny skin, if you’re out at the beach or hiking under the sun, that’s to be expected to a certain degree! Beach day sunscreen is meant to protect us, not to make us look glamorous while we’re sweaty. A little shine won’t hurt us, but not wearing the right sunscreen will.

Mineral vs Chemical: Which Is Better?

As far as the debate on mineral sunscreen vs chemical sunscreen, it’s difficult to say which is “better.” Chemical sunscreen works by absorbing into the skin to neutralize UV light, whereas mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin and reflects the light back. Although chemical sunscreen has seen pushback in recent years due to the potential for chemicals to be absorbed into the bloodstream, researchers from the FDA and AAD still agree: the best sunscreen is the one you wear. 

If the idea of potentially absorbing any trace amounts of chemicals into your system makes you nervous, mineral sunscreens are a good option instead. They also often contain zinc oxide as one of the primary ingredients, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help calm acne down.

How To Mitigate The Effects Of Sun Damage Or Sunscreen Build Up

For those who find that no matter how often they wash their face, their pores seem to remain clogged from sunscreen or makeup build up, microdermabrasion treatments are a good way to keep the skin clean and healthy. They slough off dead and dry skin and rid the face of any buildup of impurities, like a reset button for weeks of slathering. This facial treatment is also used incrementally to help even skin tone from dark spots or hyperpigmentation, and smooth out fine lines; because of this, it’s a great solution for spring and summertime exfoliation.

The result? Happy, healthy, glowing skin.

If you’re curious to learn more about microdermabrasion at Donna Peri Skincare, read my article on this treatment.

With all of the misinformation surrounding sunscreens and tanning habits, it’s important to keep educated and keep protected. Your skin will thank you!